Esther

---

Esther Basic Truth: God made me. Bible Story Focus: I know God has a plan for me. Esther • Esther 2:2–8:17 Memory Verse: “I have come so that they may have life. I want them to have it in the fullest way possible” John 10:10 Key Question: When are you your best? Bottom Line: God has a plan for you.

Introductory Activities (Small Groups, 15 minutes) Activities that encourage preschoolers to enter the classroom and begin engaging with peers and Small Group Leaders by providing age appropriate and hands on fun while introducing new concepts they will hear in the day’s Bible story.

Prepare to offer the following activities as Your 3-, 4-, or 5-year-olds arrive. Let one or two teachers lead activities in different areas of the room while another teacher greets parents and kids at the door. 1. Plan Made to Move: An activity that uses a preschooler’s natural desire to move to help them learn

What You Need: 4 hula-hoops What You Do: Before the Activity: Lay the hula-hoops on the floor in different areas of the activity area. During the Activity: Tell the children to follow the plan that you are going to read. Repeat as desired. What You Say: Before the Activity: “I have a plan! I am going to read you my plan so that you can follow it. Are you ready to listen to my plan?” (Pause.) During the Activity: “First, everyone go to this hoop. (Point to one of the hoops.) Jump in the hoop and then jump out of it. (Pause.) Great job! Next, go to this hoop (point to a second hoop) and jump in the hoop and touch your toes. Way to go! Next, march to this hoop (point to third hoop) and step in and spin around. (Pause.) Awesome spinning! The last step in my plan is to tiptoe to the last hoop (point to last hoop) and jump in and then hop on one foot. (Pause.) Great job following the plan.” After the Activity: “I am glad you followed my plan. In today’s Bible story we are going to learn about another plan that we should always follow.”

Transition: Move to Worship and Story by telling the children that you have a plan to march to the story area. Say, “I have a plan for how we should get to the story area! I want everyone to march. Ready? Let’s go! Follow my plan!” Gather children for a Large Group time.

Worship: Inviting People to Respond to God Engage kids’ hearts through dynamic and interactive worship in a Large Group setting.

What You Need: Paperclip “Memory Verse Card” in your Bible at 2 Samuel 22:31. You will also need a DVD player and the All Star Kids Worship DVD. WORSHIP LEADER: “Good morning, everyone! It’s so good to see you today. I can’t wait to sing with you today. But first tell me: When are you your best?” CHILDREN and WORSHIP LEADER: [Bottom Line] “I’m my best when I do things God’s way.” WORSHIP LEADER: “Yes, that’s right! God wants what’s best for you because God made you. God made you and me. God made everything! Let’s sing. (Lead children in singing two songs of your choice) “Yay! What incredible singers you are. When are you your best?” CHILDREN and WORSHIP LEADER: [Bottom Line] “I’m my best when I do things God’s way.” WORSHIP LEADER: “That’s right! [Bottom Line] I’m my best when I do things God’s way. Remember, our memory verse tells us that God’s way is perfect. Are you ready to do it with me? (Pause.) The Bible says: I have come so they may have life. I

want them to have it in the fullest possible way.

Bible Story Videos are available in the AMPED preschool files. What You Do: PLAY BIBLE STORY VIDEO - Esther STORYTELLER: “Hey, friends! I’m super happy to see you guys today because I have another incredible TRUE story to tell you from the Bible. (Open Bible.) A long, long time ago, there was a girl named Esther. Can you say, ‘Esther’? (Pause for response.) Esther was married to a super powerful king named Xerxes. That one’s a little harder, so let’s say it three times. Xerxes, Xerxes, Xerxes. (Pause as children respond.) Good! Being married to Xerxes made Esther a queen.

“Hello, royal friends. ’Tis I, Queen Esther. “Now, Esther didn’t ask to be queen. She was chosen by King Xerxes, who thought she was very beautiful. “King Xerxes had a helper named Haman. When you hear the name Haman, I want you to say, ‘Boo to you, Haman!’ Let’s try it now. Haman.” CHILDREN: “Boo to you, Haman!” STORYTELLER: “Yes, he was not very nice. He told King Xerxes to hurt all the people in Esther’s family. Haman . . .” CHILDREN: “Boo to you, Haman!” STORYTELLER: “. . . told the king that they were bad people and that they didn’t like King Xerxes. “When Queen Esther heard that her husband—the big, powerful king Xerxes—was going to hurt her family, she was super sad. She knew that doing things God’s way meant she had to do something to save them. “But there was one problem. King Xerxes had a big rule. It was a rule even Queen Esther was afraid to break. NOBODY was allowed to talk to the king unless they were invited to talk to him. “The king even had a special scepter he used to point at people he wanted to talk to. But Esther really needed to talk to King Xerxes. She needed to save her family. But what if the king didn’t listen? What if he got mad at her? What if she made things worse? “But Queen Esther loved God, and she knew God had a plan. Remembering that God’s plan is the best plan made Esther brave. So she went to the king, and he pointed his scepter at her so she could speak to him. Esther asked the king not to hurt her family. “And do you know what the king did? “King Xerxes did listen to Queen Esther. He saved her family! Queen Esther was afraid, but she knew God had a plan—the best plan! God’s plan is the best plan, and God’s way is the best way! That was true for Esther, and it’s true for us too. We can follow God’s plan by reading the Bible, talking to God, and doing things God’s way. “When I ask, ‘When are you your best?’ I want you to say, [Bottom Line] ‘I’m my best when I do things God’s way.’ When are you your best?” CHILDREN: [Bottom Line] “I’m my best when I do things God’s way.”

STORYTELLER: “That’s right. Following God’s plan and God’s way is the best way. Let’s pray. “Heavenly Father, thank You for the bravery of Queen Esther. She followed your plan even though she wasn’t sure how it would turn out. We know that Your plan and Your way is the best way. Help us to follow You. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.”

Application Activities (Small Groups, 25 minutes) Create a safe place to connect through activities that are written to reach every learning style while reinforcing the Bottom Line that was introduced during the Bible Story and applying it to real life experiences. In addition, these activities provide preschoolers with an opportunity to build relationships with their Small Group Leader.

Offer the following activities as your time, facilities, resources, and leadership allow. You may want to lead one activity at a time. Or, offer two activities at once and allow half the kids to participate in each. Then switch groups and repeat the activities. 1. Big Picture Live for God | Application Activity Made to Think: An advanced activity specifically designed for older preschoolers

What You Need: “Crown Dot-to-Dot” Activity Page, crayons, jewels and markers What You Do: Before the Activity: Make a copy of “Crown Dot-to-Dot” on white copy paper for each child. During the Activity: Give each child a copy of “Crown Dot-to-Dot.” Instruct them to connect to the dots at the top of the page to make a crown for Queen Esther. Once they have made the crown, they can color the picture. And add the jewels to the crown. What You Say: Before the Activity: “Queen Esther needs a crown in the picture I just gave you. Can you see the dots on the top of her head? (Point.) If you connect those dots, she’ll have her crown. Let’s do it!” During the Activity: “Queen Esther was her best when she trusted God’s plan and did things His way. She became queen and was able to save all of her people from getting hurt. We are our best when we do things Gods way too! When are you your best? [Bottom Line] I’m my best when I do things God’s way!”